Printing machine



Jan. 5, 1954 v E. J. JANKE PQINTING MACHINE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 E. J. JANKE PRINTING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 67F H H I I II II II ET Jan. 5, 1954 E. J. JANKE 2,664,819

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 E. J. JANKE PRINTING MACHINE Jan. 5, 1954 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 Jan. 5 1954 JANKE 2,664,819

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 5, 1954 E. J. JANKE 2,664,819

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Aug. 24, 1949 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 .IZZ

Jan. 5, 1954 9 Shets-Sheet 7 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 @WK MWQQK ra Ihzeke Jan. 5, 1954 Filed Aug. 24, 1949 E. J. JANKE PRINTING MACHINE 9 Sheets$heet 9 Patented Jan. 5, 1954 PRINTING MACHINE Edward J. Janke, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to Addressograph-Multigraph Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application August 24, 1949, Serial No. 111,987

Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines and particularly to printing machines of the kind that are adapted for imprinting sales slips in department stores from individual charge plates that are supplied by the individual cuS- tomers.

In printing machines of the aforesaid character, it is desirable that the structure and operation be extremely simple and that the structure be of a rugged character, and to enable a printing machine to be produced having such characteristics is the primary object of the present invention.

Where a printing machine of the aforesaid character is to be produced with a structure that is of a simple character, it is desirable that such structure be capable of being assembled in a simple manner and that it be capable of adjustment in a simple and expeditious manner to produce printed impressions of a. uniform character,

and to enable this to be accomplished is a further object of the present invention.

In controlling the character of the printed impression in a printing machine of the aforesaid character, it is necessary to accurately govern the printing pressure that is applied to the printing device, and to enable this to be accomplished despite differences in the way in which the machine is operated by different users, is a further and important object of the present invention. Machines of the aforesaid character are arranged to make the impression on the first sheet of a group of sales sheets through the medium of an inked ribbon, and to simplify the operation, mounting and replacement of the ribbon in such a pr'lntingmachine is afurther object of the present invention. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to aiiord ribbon mounting and advancing mechanism that is simple in character, and to enable the ribbon drive to be actuated in a simple manner in each operation of the printing machine.

In sales slip printing machines, it is desirable that additional impressions be made on the sales slip so as to show the nature of the transaction, the department in which the transaction takes place, the date, and the number or other identification of the sales person, and to enable this information to be printed on the sales slip in a simple manner and through the use of mechanism of a simple character is a further object of the present invention. v

Other and further objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show preferred embodiments and the principles thereof and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying those principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through a sales slip imprinting machine embodying the features of the invention, the printing head being shown in this view in its lower or operating position;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 and showing the operating or printing head in its retracted or inactive position;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view taken in the opposite direction from Fig. 1 and showing the parts of the machine in the same position;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 and illustrating the machine at the end of the printing movement of the platen roller;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 5--5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5A is a fragmental sectional View showing details of the ribbon spool mounting, the view being taken along the line 5A5A of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the printing head of the machine with the casing removed;

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 7-1 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 8-8 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 99 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 is a plan section taken substantially along the line Hll 0 of Fig. 1;

Figs. 11 and 12 are front and rear elevational views, respectively, of one form of printing device adapted to be utilized in the present machine;

Fig. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view through the printing device of Figs. 11 and 12, the view being taken substantially along the line l3l3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a front face view of. a sales slip that has been printed on the machine of the present invention through the use of the printing device shown in Figs. 11 to 13;

Figs. 15 and 16 are side elevational views of an alternative embodiment of the invention and respectively illustrating the printing head in its operating and retracted positions;

Fig. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view taken along the line ll-l1 of 3 Fig. and

Fig. 18 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 15.

For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a sales slip imprinting machine 20 that is adapted, through the use of printing devices such as the printing device D shown in Figs. 11 to 13, to print sales slips such as the sales slip 5 shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings. The printing machine 20 is particularly adapted for use in department stores and has a mounting base El that is adapted to be secured by means such as fastening devices 22 to a counter or table located adjacent to the place where the sales are actually made. The base '2 I has an upstanding rigid column 23 formed at what maybe termed the rear end thereof,*'and it will be observed particularly in Fig. 1 that this column 23 terminates in a relatively flat upper surface 23U which affords a mounting surface against which the rear end of a projecting platform -25 may be secured. This platform 25 is seated against the fiat upper surface23U of the column 23 and is held ina rigid'and fixed relation on the column by meansin'cluding a fastening bolt 26 that extends upwardly through the base 2| and through the column 23,-and is threaded into a threaded opening '21 formed in the platform 25. in addition to the fastening bolt 26, the column 23 has projecting lugs 23L that project upwardly from and beyond'the flat surface 23U, and these lugs 23L are disposed in relatively widely spaced relationship on opposite sides of the bolt 25, and are-arranged to extend into complemental downwardly facing sockets 25S that are formed in the lower face of the platform '25 as best shown inFig. '7 of the drawings. Thus, the fastening bolt 26 an'dthe cooperation of the lugs 23L With the sockets 25S afiords a rigid interconnectionbetween the platform 25 and the column 23.

The platform -25 has a printing head H mounted thereon by means ofa'supporting pivot structure 28 that is located in-a tr'ansverse horizontal position near the rear end'o'f the platform-25 and substantiallyover the'forward edge of'the column 23. The printing head H isarranged for movement about the pivot -28 between the retracted or ineffective position of Fig. 2 and the lower or operating position of Fig. 1, and impression means are mounted =within'the head l-I so that the impression means maybe operated by means including a handle '3'0't'o produce a printed impression from printing means such as embossed type characters that are mounted in a common horizontal printing plane upon the platform 25, as will hereinafter be described.

In affording a mounting for' the printing head H, it will be observed as shown in Figs. 1 and 7 of the drawings that the platform 25 is provided at its rear end with a pair-of upstanding lugs 32 that are spaced laterallyapart a considerable distance to afford clearance'space within which certain elements of the mechanism are mounted, as will hereinafterbe described.

The printing head H includes an outer casing that is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, and this casing 34% serves to enclose the structural and operating'eleme'nts of'the 'ha'dl-I. Thus the head l-I comprises two main side plates 35A and 351;, which are held I in parallel spaced relationship by spacer rods 36,31, 33, 39 and til, thestructure of which willb'e described hereinafter'in some instances where the specific structure is of importance. The casing't l'is releasably held 4 in place over and about the plates 35A and 3513 by spring clips il that are secured interiorly of the casing in such a position as to be insertable downwardly between and in frictional engagement with the inner or adjacent faces of the plates 35A and 3513, as shown in Fig. 5. The spacing of the plates 35A and 35B is such that the rear ends of the plates may extend downwardly along the'opposite outer faces of the lugs 32, and the pivot structure 28 is arranged to support the plates 35A and 355 from the lugs 3 2. As herein shown, such pivot structure comprises a central shaft 28A that extends snugly -sleeve .2813, and a lock screw 253C, Fig. 9, serves to hold the shaft 28A in a predetermined rotative position with respect to the sleeve 2813. The sleeve 28B extends through the two lugs 32, enlarged openings 43 being afforded in the lugs to snugly receive the sleeve 2&3. With this arrangement, the vertical location of the pivot afforded by the shaft 28A may be adjusted by rotation of the shaft 28A and the eccentric sleeve 28B, and this may readily be accomplished by engagement of a kerf 28K that is afforded in one end of the shaft 28 as shown in Figs. 1 and 7. When the vertical location of the shaft 28A has been properly adjusted, this adjustment may be maintained by a'set screw 288 that is extended forwardlythrough one of thelugs 32 in position to engage the eccentric sleeve 28B, as will be evident in Figs. 1 and 7 of the drawings.

The printing head H is normally urged to its retracted or inactive position of Fig. 2, through the action of spring means which in the present case takes the form of a pair of torsion springs 45, Figs. 3, 4, 6 and '7, which have the coiled portions thereof surrounding the sleeve 283 between the lugs 32. Each such torsion spring Q5 has an upstanding arm 45A that extends into a position forwardly of the spacer structure 3 while each torsion'spring also has a second arm 6513 that extends forwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. so asto bear on an upper surface 321] thatis afforded on the base 25 between the two lugs 32, as shown in-Fig. 7. The action of the torsion springs '45 is to urge the printing head H to its retracted position of Fig. 2.

Within the space between the two side plates 35A and 3513, means are afforded for mounting, guiding and actuating a platen roller P, and under and in accordance with the'present invention, such platen roller P is guided along the desired horizontal path'by guide means that are afforded along the lower edges of the side plates 35A and 353. Thus, the platen roller P is mounted on a supporting shaft :3! which has guide wheels 53 at its opposite ends and in the same spaced relationship as the side plates and 35B. These guide wheels 48 are arranged to be disposed bc neath and run against elongated straight guide surfaces s A'and 5933 that are formed on the side plates 35A and 3513, respectively, so as to face downwardly. It will be observed to Fig. 1 of the drawings that such guide surfaces MA and 59B terminate just to the left and just to the right, respectively, of the connecting structures 3? and 38,=and-means supported by these connecting structures 31 and 38 are effective to engage the lower sides of the guide wheels 48 to hold the platen roller l'i against downward displacement when the'printing head H is elevated. Such retaining means under the present invention are quite simple in character. as will be evident in s. 1 to 5, each such retaining structure being afforded by a sheet metal member 49R, the main body of which is disposed in a vertical plane and which in each instance has an inwardly extending lower flange 49F that is arranged to underlie 1 the adjacent guide wheel 48. The retaining members 49R are arranged to extend beyond the two spacing structures 31 and 38 and, as will be evident in Figs. 1 and 6, each end of each of these spacing structures embodies a headed cap screw such as the cap screw 38H, shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. This cap screw extends through a suitable hole in each instance in the vertical element of the retaining member 49R so that when the several cap screws, such as the cap screw 38H, are in place, the retaining means 49B are held in position on the respective side plates 35A and 3513.

The platen roller P that is thus guided along a rectilinear path by the guide surfaces just described is arranged for actuation by means that are operated by the handle 30. In providing for such actuation of the platen roller P along its path, a rocker structure 50 is mounted between two side plates 35A and 35B for pivotal movement on and about the spacer member 4!]. This rocker structure 58 is formed from sheet metal to afford a pair of bell crank arms 50A and 56B which are connected by an integral cross bar 50C that affords a rigid connection between the two arms 50A and 503. At their lower ends, the arms 58A and 5533 have longitudinally extending slots 5| formed therein that are arranged respectively to embrace the mounting shaft 47 of the platen roller P between the ends of the platen roller P and the adjacent guide wheels 48. Thus, upon rocking movement of the rocker structure 56, the platen roller P is moved along its guideways that are afforded along the lower edges of the side plates 35A and 35B. Such rocking movement is imparted to the rocker structure 50 by operation of the handle 3!]. Thus, as will be evident in Figs. 3, 4 and 6, the handle 30 is mounted upon an angle bracket 30M, which is secured to a rocker structure that is mounted for rocking movement on the spacer structure 39, and the angle bracket extends outwardly through an elongated slot 348 formed in the forward wall of the casing so as to extend upwardly from the lower edge of such wall. This rocker structure is formed as a stamping of sheet metal to afford a pair of spaced arms 30A and 30B that are connected by an integral cross arm 30C to which the angle bracket 30M is secured, as by means of welding. The arms 39A and 30B are so spaced that they may extend into the space between the opposite side members of the rocker structure 50, and, as will be evident in Figs. 3 and 6, these side members of the rocker structure 50 have forward extensions 55E formed thereon which are connected by a cross pin 55. The arms 39A and 363 have slots 56 formed therein which embrace the cross pin 55 so that upon rocking movement of the handle 3i! relative to the side plates 35A and 3513, a corresponding rocking movement will be imparted to the rocker structure 50. The parts are normally urged to the relationship shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings by a pair of relatively strong tension springs 51 that are connected at their rear ends to the spacer structure 36 as shown in Figs. 3 and 6 of the drawings, and these springs 57 are connected at their forward ends to a cross pin 58 that extends between the arms 30A and 303 above the pivotal axis that is afforded by the spacer structure 39.

initial actuation of the handle 30, the springs 51 serve to maintain the handle 30 and the associated platen-operating mechanisms in their normal positions so that when the printing head H reaches its lower or operating position, the platen roller P will be disposed in its rearward position as shown in Fig. 3. Then, upon continued downward actuation of the handle 30, the parts are moved from the positions shown in Fig. 3 to the positions shown in Fig. 4, and the platen roller P moves forwardly along its guideways and through a printing stroke which terminates when the guide wheels 48 reach the forward ends of their guideways. The handle 30 is then allowed to return toward its upper position, and as this movement progresses, the platen P moves through a rearward printing stroke until it reaches the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, and thereafter, the torsion springs 45 cause the printing head H to return to its upper or retracted position of Fig. 2.

The present machine is provided with an inking means in the form of an inked ribbon IR that is disposed so as to extend beneath the platen roller P throughout its entire range of printing movement, and means are aiforded for supporting and advancing such inked ribbon. Thus, it will be evident that the lower or operative portion of the inked ribbon IR is guided and held in position by the spacer structures 3'! and 38, and at opposite ends of this working portion of the ribbon IR, such ribbon is extendedupwardly and is connected to a pair of ribbon spools 62F and 62R. These ribbon spools 62F and 62R are removably mounted on similar supporting structures that are best illustrated in Figs. 1, 5A and 6 of the drawings. Thus, in the plate 35A, a supporting and centering hub 65A is rotatably mounted by means including a projecting hearing structure 66, as will be evident in Fig. 5A. This hub 65A extends outwardly and has an operating ratchet wheel 61F mounted thereon, and between the ratchet wheel HF and the bearing 66, an expansive coil spring 68 is mounted in surrounding relation to the hub 55A. This expansion spring has a friction washer 59 disposed between its outer end and the ratchet wheel 51F so as to act as a brake to prevent undesired rotative movement of the ratchet wheel and hub. At its inner end, the hub 65A has a transverse pin 10 that is arranged so that it may engage slots H that are formed in a conventional manner in the end edges of the ribbon spool. The hub 65A has an axial shaft 13 extended therefrom, and this axial shaft is arranged to extend to substantially the plane of the opposite side plate 35B so that a second supporting hub 55B may surround this end of the shaft 13 and enter into the opposite end of the spool so as to center such end of the spool. In accordance with the present invention, the hubs 65B are removably disposed in a spool supporting position, and are carried in a fixed relation on opposite ends of a supporting bar 15. As will be evident in Figs. 3 and 4, the side plate 35B is cut away at its forward end as indicated at 76F to afford clearance space for the forward hub 65B, and the plate 353 that. engage a pair of, spaced notchegd (12 upper edge of the plate manna such. meansiin mes are is similarly cut aWay' near its-rear end as indithe side plate 353 :andjnto complemental openings. in thesupportingbar' l5,;and when the: parts are in-thisposition, they may be held inrplace by 2. removablethumb screw 39 that extends through the .bar 15'and:is .threaded "into the sidezframe 35B. It will be notedin Fig. '5Ao'f thedrawings that the hubs .6513 are of sleeve-like form so as toaffordacentral passage 8! into which thecend ;of the related shaft 13 may enter.

Means are afforded for actuating the :ribhon spools-62F and 62R selectively .in opposite: directions, and for'reversing the'direction of actuation,.and it will be-notedin this regard that the ratchetwheels .BlF and MR, have the teeth there- .of disposed in an oppositerelationship, as shown .in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Themeans afforded under the present invention for actuating the .ribbon-mechanismis afiorded by a-reciprocable drive plate 90 that is mounted and guided for movement on the outer face of the side plate 35A. Thus, it will be =observed that the drive plate Sfl'hasalongitudinally extending slot :9! formed adjacentitsupper end, and in the'present instance this is accomplished by appropriately slitting the metal and bending the portion Jce- :7 tween such slits so as toextend-.outwardlyrand .then downwardly to afford a lug 93,-.the'funeticn of which will .become apparent hereinafter.

.Downwardly of .the slot :91, and in alignment therewith, asecondguide slt.94 is provided-and J a pair 0f.-guiding and retaining studs .95 and 3E areengagedwiththese slots 9! .and Si l-to guide the plate .90 for longitudinal movement parallel to the side plate 35A and perpendicular to the guide surfaces 49A. "It will be observedrin this connection that 1 the guide studs -95 and 3t have spacer elements .958 and 96S, Fig. 5,asscciated therewith to maintain the actuating platefiii in the proper spaced relationship with respectto .the sideplatej35A. The actuating plate .38 is thus guided for what may; betermed vertical reciprocation, and in suchreciprocation the platesfiii is arranged to actuate =one or .the other of the ratchet wheelsfe'lF .or 671%. .For thispurpose, a plate [00 ismounted on .the .outerface .of-.the plate'QG bymeans includinga mounting studJii so that theplate Elli] .may. be. rocked. on the plate .QUfrom the position shown in Fig. 1..to.,a second position displaced in .a ncounter-clockwise.direction from the position shown. 1. These two positions are determined by .detentmeans inithe the present. instance take the. form of a detent wheel lfliithatisdisposed betweenthe platelet! .and theidownwardly extended-lug J33 that has been heretofore described. This detentwwheel N33 has a central opening through which bent wire axle. I05 is extended, and,.-aszwillbeaevident .in Figs. 1 and 5,-theends ofthisaxie .tllfi guided .by :engagement with relatively :narrow guide slots H16 and, i-Blthat are formed,z-re spective1y,.in. the plate 90 andthe lug 83. The .detent .wheel Hi3 is urged-yieldingly .inaidownward di- .rectionibyaa tension spring: iii-8- that, is: connected at its upper end to the lower end of a link [65L 32,1as shovmxilrFigfl of the'drawings.

that is formed as aniintegralpartsofzthe axle I 55.

At-its'lowerend, the springalllfl is.connectedto a reduced extension .of the mounting .stud Hi l. Thus, the detent .wheel 103 is urgedin a downward direction so astto tendto maintain therockingplate LEM] in onesorthe other ofits two positions.

The'rccking plate iilfiserves as a carrier-for appair of:paw1s HEiRran'd HBF that are adapted, respectively, for :engagement :with the ratchet wheels ii'lRand'fi'lF. The .pawlsill.ilR;an'd NSF are pivoted intermediate their "ends on pivot members i i IR and! HF on'the lower corners of :the rocking plate film-and a-tension spring 1 i2, acting between the :downwardly extended lower ends of'the paw ls, serves to urgethexpawls toward the ratchet wheels with which:they are to be associated. The-spring llztends to move the .pawls TMQR and HEiFinto engagement .withzstop lugs l'i'3Randil-3F that are extended outwardly from-edge portions of the rocking plate I00, and the relationshipis such that one or the other of "the :two pawls is always maintained in such a position that;it.can.notacooperate with:its related ratchet IWh661. Thus, as shown .in Fig. '1 ofsthedrawings, when'the rocking plate is in its most clockwise position, thellug i i3F engages the pawl HiiF soas tohol-dthe same in an inactive position, while the lug I i312 isinsuch a relation that the pawl HtR is free:t0 move' into opera- :tive engagement with "the ratchet wheel 67R. 'Fhe ends of the ribbon :are anchored to the respective spools in the conventional manner, :and when operation of the pawllFifiR has com- :pletely unwound theribbon'IRffrom the spool SEEL-the rear-ratchet wheel 61R Wl11,-'Of course, be held against "further advancing movement. When;this occurs, the pawl HER will-be held against downwardmovement when. the plate'fill actuated, :and hence the plate 'illli will be rocked in 'acounter-clockwisedirection to its other position so as to thereby-cause reversal of 'the ribbon feed.

The :desired reciprocating movements of the actuatingplate 1% are .in the present invention :erallyr hori'zontal slot iil formedin the actuat- :;ing,plate-90. Thus, by rocking movement of the bell :cranki lever 'l i 5, the'splatetfl -may be reciprocated,;and such rockingmovement'of the bell crank H5 is imparted'thereto as an incident to =the-moveinentiofitheprinting head H-from its position-of 2 to% the. position of Fig. 1. Thus, zthecbell ,crankflever lid-has a downwardly extending :arm H.513 whichhas a slot iiS'in its lower end. This slot is arranged to embrace a cross 28 rthatris Inounted'in the two lugs This pin 12% iS held'in position by spring retaining clips .l2i, and'therpinextends through-arcuate slots 122 formed :in the side plates 35A and 353. These ,arcuate slotslEE thus cooperate with the pin-12d to afiordlim-iting stops for limiting the movements "of the printing head I-I, these steps being effective: primarily in limiting the upward movement of the :printing head.

When the platen: roller -P' is-actuated as herein-beiore described; it rol-ls across the top of the platform 2dsogastto thereby-produce printed impressions from the printing means that are disposed in a common printing plane on the top of the platform 25. Such printed impressions include an impression D I, Fig. 14, that is made on the sheet S from the particular charge plate or printing device D that, is in position on the platform 25, and in addition, printing means are provided on the platform 25 for producing a printed impression I25 showing the nature of the transaction, or, in other words, whether it is a cash, 0. O. D., charge or will-call transaction. Adjacent to the impression I25, means on the platform 25 are arranged to produce an impression I25 on the sheet indicating the department in which the sale has been made. Just tothe right of the impression I20, means on the platform 25 also produce an impression I21 showing the date upon which the transaction was recorded. Finally, just to the right of the date I21, another impression I20 is made by means carried on the platform 25.

The printing device D that is utilized to make the impression D-I may, of course, take many different forms, and in Figs. 11, 12 and 13, one

commonly used form of charge plate or printing device D is illustrated. This printing device is generally rectangular in form with rounded corners, and is made from an embossable sheet metal. About its edges, the printing device is bent downwardly and outwardly as at I30, and then is reversely bent in an inward direction along its lower face as at I 3I to aiford cardretaining flanges that are best shown in Figs. 12 and 13. These flanges serve to hold an identification and signature card I32 in a known manner. By bending the metal of the plate down at I30, the upper surface of the printing device D is formed as an elevated panel, and the type characters are formed as raised embossures I33 that project upwardly from this panel. Along opposite edges of the printing device D, notches I34 and I55 are formed, these notches being located in particular positions in accordance with known practice to constitute an identification as to the particular store and city in which use of this printing device is proper and authorized for charge account purposes.

When the printing device D is to be used in the machine of the present invention, it is put in position on a locating and supporting anvil I40 that is extended in a front to rear direction, relatively close to the right-hand side of the platform 25. The anvil I40 is located in what might be termed a depressed recess I4! in the upper surface of the platform so that when a printing device D is placed in position on the anvil I40, the lower face that is afforded by the card I32 will rest on the anvil I40, while the flange portions IOI will be disposed in locations about the edges of the anvil I40. At the right-hand side of the anvil I40, the side edge of the platform 25 is cut away as at I42 so as to facilitate insertion and removal or the printing devices. The anvil I40 is in the form of a rectangular plate, and the anvil is so mounted on the platform 25 that the anvil may readily beadjusted or leveled. In attaining this mounting, a plurality of leveling screws I45 are disposed beneath the respective corners of the anvil I40, and these leveling screws I45 are threaded downwardly through the platform. and extend into sockets I00 in the lower surface of the platform.

Within these sockets, lock nuts I4! are threaded onto the respective leveling screws I45. At their upper ends, the several leveling screws have reduced heads I45H which extend upwardly 10 through openings formed in the anvil I40. These reduced heads have kerfs I45K formed therein, and the upward extent of the members I45 is such that these heads terminate below the upper surface of the anvil I40. Thus, the several leveling screws I45 may be actuated by a screw driver from the upper face of the platform 25, and the platform thus may be brought to the desired level position in which it is located by the lock nuts I41. In order to hold the anvil I40 downwardly against the leveling screws I45, a screw I40 is extended upwardly through the platform 25, and is threaded into the anvil I40 at the center thereof. A spring I48S surrounds the screw I58 and acts between the platform 25 and the head of the screw I48 to yieldingly urge the anvil I40 in a downward direction, thereby to hold the anvil in position on the leveling screws I45. It might be pointed out that in such leveling of the anvil I40, it 'is sometimes necessary to slightly alter the plane of printing movement of the platen P, and this may be accomplished by rais-- ing and lowering the rear end of the head H by adjustment of the eccentric mounting structure 28 that has hereinbefore been described. Within the recess I 4| and adjacent to the appropriate edges of the anvil I40, code pins I34? and I35P are mounted for cooperation with the notches I34 and I35 to prevent use of improper or unauthorized printing devices.

The platform 25 also carries a settable means for producing the impression I25, and such settable means comprise a four-sided printing block I50 that is mounted on the rear end of a shaft I5I. This shaft I5I extends in a front to rear direction from the front end of the platform 25, and the printing head I50 is disposed in a recess I 50R that is formed in the platform 25. At its forward end, the shaft I5I has an operating head I52 which carries four legends I52L which simplify the setting of the printing block I50. The shaft I5I, between the head I52 and the printing block I50, is formed with a squared portion I5IS, as best shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, and this squared portion is engaged.

by a spring arm I53, Figs. 8 and 10, so that the printing block I50 will be maintained in any one of its four set positions.

Just rearwardly of the printing block I50, and

opposite the center portion of the anvil 30, a

removable type carrier I55 is mounted in which individual type members I56 may be disposed for producing the impressions I26 and I 21. This removable type carrier I55 is shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 10, and comprises an elongated block having an upwardly opening T-slot I 55T formed therein to receive the shanks of the type members I55. metal retaining bracket I5! which has a base portion, as viewed in Fig. 5, and end flanges I 51F. The block I55 is secured to the bottom portion of the member I51 by pins I50, and these pins are adapted to extend downwardly into locating openings I 59 that are formed in the platform 25, it being noted that by reason of its height, the type carrying assembly that includes the block I 55 is set in a recess I 50 formed in the upper face of the platform 25.

Just rearwardly of the location of the type carrier I55, means are provided for removably mounting a type member I65 that constitutes a clerks identification key that is effective to produce the impression I28 on the sales slip S. Such means are afforded by a mounting surface I55 onto which the clerks key may be slipped in This block is mounted within a sheet 7 a right-handmovementftowa-rdzthe-adjacent. lefte hand edge of theanvil M; Ar. spring-arm It secured onthe platform 2-5 serves'f-rictionallyi to.

retain the clerks-key' H55. in its; operating; position on'the platform 25; The clerkskey USS-has:

upward indentation I653 formed therein, and this indentation. is adapted to be disposed in position over a round-headed pin l68-that is located soas to project slightly upwardly from the surface. its. Thus, the spring arm I61" serves. additiona llyto hold theindentation I 653 in engagement with the headed pin- I58, thereby to prevent accidental displacement of the clerk's key I65.

In. Figs. to.18, an alternative-form of the invention is illustrated a-sembodied in a printing machine 220' that is similar in allrespects torthe. machine 29. except that the return spring 45, of the. machine 2il-hast been eliminated and the head H of the machinehas been so counterbalanced that it. will be retained in either its upper or retracted position of Fig. 16.01 in its lower. position of Fig. 15. Thus; an. anchoring; pin I16 isextended inwardly from. the left-hand mounting lug 32 just rearwardly and below the pivot structurev 21A and 21B, and one end; of. acontractilecoil spring H I is hooked-about and anchored onthe pin ill]: At its other end, the spring H! is hooked aboutand anchored onthe spacer structure 3.6 or the-head: H. The spring I'll is of such-a strength that when the head H is in its lower position of Fig. 15, thespring can not/raise the headfrom such position, and hencethe' head H will remain in such lower position.

However, when thehead. 1-]; is manually; lifted to its. retracted position of Fig. 16, its center of gravity is shifted materially closer to the-axis 2813 while; the effective lever arm of the spring ill has'been slightly increased, andwhen this relationship is established, the spring I?! is effective to maintain the head H in its; elevated. position. Thus, with the-arrangement. shown in Figs. 15. to 18, the head H may normally b'eleft inits lower position, and yet when a sales slip; is. totbe put in position on the platform 25, thehead H. will-be maintained in its retracted positionso-asto simplify the positioning of the sales. slip.

Thus, in the; use of. thesales slip imprinting machine of the present-invention, a sales. slip S, having the printeddata shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings, may be quickly and easily produced, and this. machine of the present invention is extremely simple incharacter so. as -tc.-be rugged anddependablein use, and. soas. tov be capable of economical manufacture and upkeep.-

Thus, while I have illustrated and described. preferred embodimentsof my: invention, it is to be. understoodthat these; are capable of varia-- tion andmodification, and I therefore-do notwishtobelimited; to the precise.- details set forth; but desire toavail-myself of-such changes :and. altera tions as fall within the purview of the-following claims;

If claim: 1. In a sales; slip printing apparatus, a base having a platform across the upper face of which a sales slip may be disposed for performance of a: printing operation, means on said platform for removably receiving and positioning. a customers token: constituting a. printing device. from" which av printed impression is to be'made onto a sales slip, means at oneendof said platform. providing a...p ivotalmounting. axis extending transversely across. and parallel to saidupper face of said platform, a. printing; head. mountedon said axis for movement from an out-ofi-the-wayposition, which exposes the upper face of. said platform, to anoperative positionover. and in an opposed relation. to. the upper face of said platform, said head comprisinga' pair of parallel, spaced. side framerplatesdisposed perpendicular to saidaxis, a plurality of spacer membersextended between saidplates and holding the same in rigid spaced relation, torsionspring means mounted on said axis and havingone'armacting on said platform and another armacting on a first one of said spacer. members of said head to urge said head tosaidout-of-the-way position, said plates havingparallel lower guiding edges formed thereon, a. platen. roller having a central shaft projectingl from itsends; guidewheels on. the opposite ends of said shaft" engaging said guiding edges, retaining rails: secured in position on the respective plates by means of portions of at least two other of said. spacer members and engageab'le with" said guide'wheels; to hold said platen in position-with said wheels oppositesaid guiding edges, arock-ing arm structure mounted on still anotherone-of said spacer members between said plates' for. rocking-movement, said rocking structure-havingslotted elements engaging said shaft adjacent the respective. rollers for imparting movement to said platen roller, an operating handle pivotally mounted between said plates on a further one of. said spacing members and having a pin and slot connection with said rooking= arm structure for rocking the same, and spring means acting between said handle and saidfirst one of said spacer members to urge said handle to a retracted position.

2. Inasales slip:- printing apparatus, a base having an elevated. platform across the upper face of which-a sales slip may be disposed for performance" of a; printing operation, means on said platform for'removably receiving and positioninga; customers: token constituting a printing device. from which a printed impression is to be made onto a sales slip, means at one end of saidplatform providing a pivotal mounting axis extending transversely across and parallel to.- said upper face of said platform, a printing head mounted on said axis for movement from anout-of-the-way position; which exposes the upper face of said platform, to anoperative position over andtin an. opposed relation to the upper face of.'saidiplatform, said head comprising a pair of. parallel, spaced side frame plates disposed perpendicular to; said: axis, a plurality of spacer members extended in spaced relation to each other and: between: said plates and holding the same; in rigidspaced' relation, said plates having parallel; lowei" guiding edges formed thereon, a platen. roller' having a central shaft projecting fromitsends; guide wheels'on the opposite ends ofsaidshaft engaging'saidguiding edges, removable 'retaining rails secured'in position on the respective plates by first an-d'second ones of. said spacermembers and engageable with said guide wheels to.ho1d' said platen in position with said wheelsopposite saidguiding edges, an operating rockerpivotally mounted on a third one of said spacer members and" operatively connected to said shaft: for imparting movement to said platen roller along. said guiding edges, an operating handl'epivotallymounted on' a fourth one of said spacer members and operatively connected to saidoperating. rocker for imparting rocking movements thereto, a return spring for said handle. acting between said handle and a fifth one of said spacer members, and a spring for governing the idle position of said head and acting between said platform and said fifth one of said spacer members.

3. In a sales slip printing apparatus, a base having an elevated platform, an anvil on said platform for removably receiving and positioning a printing device, a printing head mounted on a transverse axis near one end of said platform for movement from an out-of-the-way position, which exposes the upper face of said platform, to an operative position over and in an opposed relation to the upper face of said platform, said head comprising a pair of parallel, spaced side frame plates disposed perpendicular to said axis, a plurality of spacer members extended between said plates and holding the same in rigid spaced relation, a platen roller having a central shaft projecting from its ends, guide wheels on the opposite ends of said shaft, means on said plates engaging said guide wheels to guide said platen roller for movement through a printing stroke, a

handle on said head operable to impart movement to said platen roller through such a printing stroke, two of said spacer members being disposed adjacent to the lower edges of said plates for guiding a ribbon beneath said platen roller throughout its entire stroke, and means for supporting a ribbon comprising a pair of drive shafts rotatably mounted in one of said plates for porting and drivingly engaging one end of each of a pair of ribbon spools, the other of said plates having cutout portions aligned with said shafts, a support bar detachably connected to said other plate and having support bearings extending through said cutout portions for engagement with the other ends of such ribbon spools, and means on said one plate for selectively driving said shafts to feed said ribbon.

4. In a sales slip printing apparatus, a base having an elevated platform, an anvil on said platform for removably receiving and positioning a printing device, a printing head mounted on a transverse axis near one end of said platform for movement from an out-of-the-way position to an operative position over and in an opposed relation to the upper face of said platform, said head comprising a pair of parallel, spaced side frame plates disposed perpendicular to said axis, a plurality of spacer members extended between said plates and holding the same in rigid spaced relation, a platen roller having a central shaft projecting from its ends, guide wheels on the opposite ends of said shaft, means on said plates engaging said guide wheels to guide said platen roller for movement through a printing stroke, a handle on said head operable to impart movement to said platen roller through such a printing stroke, two of said spacer members being disposed adjacent to the lower edges of said plates for guiding a ribbon beneath said platen roller throughout its entire stroke, and means for supporting a ribbon comprising a pair of drive shafts rotatably mounted in one of said plates for supporting and drivingly engaging one end of each of a pair of ribbon spools, the other of said plates having cutout portions aligned with said shafts, one of said cutout portions being extended from the end of said other plate that is remote from said axis while the other of said cutout portions is extended upwardly from the lower edge of said other plate to facilitate insertion and removal of ribbon spools, a support bar detachably connected to said other plate on the outer face thereof and having support bearings extending through said cutout portions for engagement with the other ends of such ribbon spools, and means on said one plate for selectively driving said shafts to feed said ribbon.

5. In a sales slip printing apparatus, a base having an elevated platform, an anvil on said platform for removably receiving and positioning a printing device, means at one end of said platform providing a pivotal mounting axis extending transversely across and parallel to said upper face of said platform, a printing head mounted on said axis for swinging movement from a retracted out-of-the-way position, which exposes the upper face of said platform, to an operative position over and in an opposed relation to the upper face of said platform, a platen roller mounted on said head for movement through a printing stroke along the lower portion of said head, an operating handle pivotally mounted on said head and operatively connected with said platen roller for operating the same through its printing stroke, and spring means connected between anchoring points on said head and said platform, said anchoring points being so related to said axis and to each other that said spring means act through a relatively short lever arm on said head when said head is in its lower operative position and such spring means being ineffective to move said head to such retracted position, and said anchoring points being so related to said axis and to each other that said spring means act through a relatively long lever arm when said head is in its retracted position and such spring means being effective to hold said head in said retracted position.

EDWARD J. JANKE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,829,586 Dug-dale Oct. 27, 1931 1,928,685 Dugdale Oct. 3, 1933 2,026,115 Anthony Dec. 31, 1935 2,068,707 Reardon Jan. 26, 1937 2,126,347 Ruttiman Aug. 9, 1938 2,176,371 Wahl Oct. 17, 1939 2,242,104 Boyer May 13, 1941 2,295,748 Moore Sept. 15, 1942 2,297,541 Dugdale Sept. 29, 1942 2,505,991 Reinhold May 2, 1950 

